Chandne

I have always used MTB pedals on all my bikes and ether Speedplay Frogs or the Shimano MTB pedals. They are both easy to get out of which is why I like them. I have a hard time getting out of Times and Eggbeaters, for example. However, as my road rides have become longer and I stand more on climbs, I am finding that I get hot spots under my feet. So I started to look at Speedplay Zeros and Light Actions pedals. However, I was wondering if there are pedals/cleats that are slightly larger that are also easy to get out of without too much twisting force needed. I need that because of the way my legs are aligned. I can't twist too far out.

Anyway, some idea would be helpful since i know so little about the different road pedals. I have researched the Speedplays but read a couple of reviews that said the pedals/cleat interface was small and created hot spots. I am not sure what type of shoes they were using but I figured I should learn a bit more about the different road pedals out there. Thanks!

BenPS

Both Shimano and Look make good pedals with large platforms in "light action" or "easy" release models, if you want light release tension. Even the non-"light action" shimanos have adjustable tension, which you can turn pretty low. Speedplay pedals offer a lot of float, which is good if you have bad knees, but don't have adjustable tension, and will have a smaller interface with the pedals than either Shimano or Look.

OnyxTiger

Couple of different variables at play. Shoe fit is important; too wide or too narrow can prove sub-optimal for circulation. Cleat placement and angle is important for tracking. Pedals are another variable that I haven't had to look into (I found my first pair with Look Keo pedals to be sufficient.) Last is orthotic support for the arcs.

Since I can't speak on Speedplays or SPDs, my only contribution here would be to look into arc support as you try and address the hot spots. On my initial rides up to about 20 miles, I would get hot spots and couldn't stand it. It made riding pretty unpleasant. Changing out my stock insoles to Specialized Body Glove++ (Blue) helped me tremendously. I went into my LBS who were authorized retailers for the product, had me stand on a platform that measures your arc, and found my perfect system. For $30, I got to keep my pedals and my shoes, and can now go at practically any distance with not as much as a single complaint from my feet. YMMV.

Specialized Bicycle Components

Lazyass

If you're getting hotspots move your cleats back. All the way back if you have to. It's not the pedal, contrary to internet BS.

jaxgtr

Hot spots in my history has always been due to shoes. Once I spent some money and got some stiff soled shoes, my foot issues went away and I have not had issues since, riding 2 bolt or 3 bolt pedals.

StanSeven

You didn't mention what kind of shoes you have. Older shoes often have a flexible sole which sets you up for hot spots. Most of the newer shoes have very rigid soles.

Didn't see the post fight above. ^^ This is what I'm referring to.

Chandne

Been using Specialized MTB shoes (I rotate between two mostly and three as of today...two are carbon-soled). I have tried moving the cleats back but the hotspot issues persisted on longer rides and pedaling seemed weird so I moved them forward a few mm- back to where my fit guy had them. I don't have bad knees so don't need a ton of float. I do need something that lets me exit without a lot of force required. I'll look into the Shimano and Look pedals that are light action or easy as well. In the meantime, I'll look for sales on carbon-soled shoes that fit well.

Frreed

+1 on the insoles. I put a pair of superfeet orange in my shoes and they are so much more comfortable on long rides. I really like SPD-SL pedals. They have just enough float and provide a nice stable base.

dougphoto

I've ridden on Speedplays for probably 12 years before that I had always used Looks. I think your hot spots are more about shoe fit than cleats. That being said I do love my speedplays.

FLvector

I agree with the suggestion to go with a stiffer carbon sole and a wider platform for the pedal, such as Shimano or Look style. I've used Shimano pedals for years and they are a breeze to release the cleat when needed. I wouldn't mess with shifting the cleat all the way back on the shoe to solve a hotspot issue. This will result in placing your foot over the pedal axil in a sub-optimal position. Some may prefer this position, but it is not recommended for initially setting someone for the first time.

shakey start

I'm on Speedplay as well. However I just switched to the Light Action Speedplay and I really like them. That's my recommendation!

Lazyass

The position of your cleats may not have centered on the same exact same spot of your foot between the two pedals. You nor anyone else has any clue at all what the cause of his hot spots are. The first thing to check is the cleat position because it costs no money to move them back and see if that's it. The next thing to check is an abnormal foot tilt, which is the most common cause of hotspots. Someone at home can check the bottom of his feet with a straight edge. A free homemade wedge or one that costs a few bucks can fix that. I had hotspots with all my pedals and shoes, including Speedplays. After listening to people on the internet and throwing a lot of money down the drain with suggestions of new shoes and pedals, moving my cleats back and a wedge for my jacked up left foot is what fixed it. You need to check the free stuff before you go out blowing money on new shoes and pedals when you have no idea at all if that will fix it.

noodle soup

Many people, including myself, know what causes hot spots. It's not rocket science.

If I were the OP I would get Speedplay Zeros because the cleats allow float adjustment so the foot can release with less rotation.

Lazyass

I wasn't addressing you, there, chicken soup. Why you told me that even you don't know. Leave me alone or you'll disappear for good.

Shuffleman

This topic is always going to draw in a lot of different opinions and solutions. I am not sure if there is a cure all for everybody. I personally agree with some of the others who have said to try the shoe first. Pedals seem like a hugely subjective thing. I ride with Shimano ones because that is what I have always used. I do not know if they are better or worse than others as that is all that I have ever used. They work for me so I stick with them. The great thing about pedals is that you can try different ones on the cheap. Unfortunately it is not the same with shoes. Most LBS will have many styles of used pedals in the back. They should let you borrow them for a few rides to see what you like. Hopefully, you have a relationship with a LBS and they will allow you to do this.
After finding the pedal that you like, you can concentrate on the shoe.

noodle soup

Actually, you seem to have a good idea of what causes hot spots. I'm not sure why you think it's such a mystery. Most professional fitters that aren't trying to sell you new pedals or shoes, will check & adjust cleat placement first.

ErichVonCartman

Truth man! or it is the shoes. A good stiff sole shoe can overcome any hot spot because it is as if the shoe was one with the pedal.

thin_concrete

I started off on SPDs and found that I could not clip out my right ankle without serious pain. I broke that ankle a couple years ago skiing and I've never gotten my strength here back to 100%. I moved to the Speedplay Light Action pedals and haven't looked back.

FLvector

Them sounds like fightin words......

rpenmanparker 

OP, regarding difficulty unclipping due to limited angle mobility , that is easily solved with low float. You have to be sure to get your cleats angled right so you don't screw up your knees, but then having zero float cleats (black for Look Keo) assures you nearly instant unclipping with very small rotation. If you need the insurance a little float provides, systems with 4 or 5 degrees shouldn't cause you a problem either. Like the gray Look cleats.

noodle soup

Or the OP could get the Speedplay Zeros that he asked about, and adjust the float the same way as you describe.

Ray9

I only weigh 128 pounds and the Speedplays didn't work for me because I couldn't clip and unclip consistantly no matter how I adjusted them. I went back to Looks because they are reliable and tested over time. Hot spots are an issue on long rides due to shoe fit especially if the toe box is narrow. Boood circulation to the ball of the foot needs to be unimpeded.

Chandne

Very useful info. I am using the Specialized blue insoles. I understand the Looks and Zeros a bit better now. Question on Light Actions- are they kinda slippery like my Frogs? I use both Frogs and SPDs (mtn) and both work fine though I have the release set low on my XT SPDs...no issues ever. I'm reading reviews and researching a few things as I get more info here. My friend uses Looks and likes them but I do clip in a lot faster on the SPDs or Frogs. This would be similar on the LAs or Zeros. Still, a bigger platform is something I am continuing to look at as I adjust with my current setup. I need to measure my legs too. The fit guy told me they were slightly different but not enough to necessitate shims at the time. That may be worth revisiting either way.

Chandne

Ray9- which Speedplays?

Lazyass

In every hotspot thread everyone recommends new pedals and shoes. Virtually no one addresses foot tilt, few address cleat position. I don't care that you know what causes hotspots, I don't know why you popped in out of the blue to tell me that, but that's enough of you following me around threads with your obsession of me.